There are several incentives available for new and existing businesses and industries willing to invest in our town through capital improvements or job creation or a combination of the two.

Click here to be redirected to the Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association website where you may learn more about the DDRA Improvement Incentive Program.

The City of Darlington has approved the following Economic Development Incentives Program to encourage revitalization and redevelopment by private investment of capital investment or job creation by new and existing businesses and industries.
The goals of the program are to promote the construction of new buildings or the rehabilitation of existing buildings and to support the establishment of the categories of new businesses that the Council determines will significantly increase the overall commercial activity, attract the City’s residents and tourists, and increase the property values within the City as a whole.

The following incentives will be available based on Council funding in the annual budget and may be combined for the greatest impact based on any given project as approved by City Council.

Businesses should call 843-398-4000 or email mmsmith@cityofdarlington.com to discuss potential projects prior to submitting documentation.

Incentives Available
Building Permit Fees

• Discount of 50% of permit fees for 50 FTE jobs or $500,000 in investment created on initial construction period
• Discount of 100% of permit fees for 100 FTE jobs or $1,000,000 in investment created on initial construction period
• Business licenses are still required for contractors.

Hospitality Taxes

• Discount of 50% of taxes collected if creating 20+ FTE jobs for a period of one year
• Discount of 100% of taxes collected if creating 50+ FTE jobs for a period of one year

Accommodations Taxes

• Discount of 50% of taxes collected if creating 20+ FTE jobs for a period of one year
• Discount of 50% of taxes collected if creating 100+ FTE jobs for a period of three years

Business License Fee

• Discount of license fee for creating 20+ FTE jobs over a period of three years as follows: The discount for year one would be 100%, 66% for year two, 33% for year three, and 0% discount after that.
• Discount of license fee for creating 50+ FTE jobs over a period of five years as follows: The discount for year one would be 100%, 80% for year two, 60% for year three, 40% for year four, 20% for year five, and 0% discount after that.

Eligibility

• Businesses must be located in the Core Commercial, Light Commercial, General Commercial, or Industrial Zoning Districts.
• Project must benefit the City, increase tourism and commercial activity, and/or improve the character of the City by preserving historic buildings or complementing the historic character in new construction.
• To meet the threshold of investment required, a development may be given a credit towards the Minimum Investment of $50,000 for each job created.
• To meet the threshold for job creation, a credit of 5 jobs will be given for each executive required to live within the City limits.

Assurances

• All incentives are reimbursed. After a package has been approved by council, businesses must apply for these benefits annually (as applicable) in writing with a Request for Incentive Repayment by July 31 or forfeit those incentives.
• Residency requirements, if used to calculate the job creation threshold, must be submitted annually to continue to receive incentive reimbursement from the City as well as a written and dated policy reflecting this requirement. Failure to do so may result in reduction or forfeiture of incentives.
• No incentives will be dispersed until a Certificate of Occupancy and City business license has been issued.
• Annual reports will include the number of jobs maintained at the Development each year a business submits to receive incentive reimbursement from the City. Failure to do so may result in reduction or forfeiture of incentives.
• Should a recipient relocate the business outside the City limits within 5 years after receipt of those funds, that business must repay all incentives within 3 months of business closure. Unpaid penalties will be assessed to the real property associated with the development.
• Should a recipient reduce the number of jobs by 20 or more through attrition or layoffs during the 5 years after the Incentive Agreement is approved by Council, that business must repay all incentives by October 31 of that year. Unpaid penalties will be assessed to the real property associated with the development.
• Businesses may not change names or ownership to prolong incentives.

Other Parameters

• Final approval will be made by ordinance by City Council.
• Multiple incentives are available and may be combined.
• Council may approve other incentives at its discretion and on a case-by-case basis.
• References to State Programs have been inserted into the text of the ordinance for the S.C. Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, S.C. Textiles Communities Revitalization Act, S.C. Retail Facilities Revitalization Act, and real property tax credit for installation of a fire sprinkler system.

Façade Improvement Grant

Grant availability and complete guidelines are pending Council approval at this time.

• Match of 50% required
• Up to $5,000 for new and existing businesses

Updated February 2017

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